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Home My WebLink AboutNC0023337_NOV and Intent to Assess_20200228UJULED - �' / 5-/ 1, 6 . '- ROY COOPER Ginrfnor MICHAEL S. REGAN Se rrrfury S. DANIEL SMITH Direezor Certified Mail # 70172680000022368877 Return Receipt Requested Nancy Dempsey, Town Administrator Town of Scotland Neck PO Box 537 Scotland Neck, NC 27874-0537 } I � I.iyN JF1p} NOR rhl CAROLMA Environmental Quality February 28, 2020 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY Tracking Number: NOV-2020-PC-0115 Permit No. NCO023337 Scotland Neck WWTP Halifax County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Scotland Neck WWTP on February 25, 2020. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Permit No. NC0023337. A summary of the findings and comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report. The inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Raleigh Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Violation_ _ Disinfection Liquid Half of the contact chamber was not in service at the time of inspection. 1.75 feet of stud a was noted in the contact chamber (with about 5 feet of water depth) Secondary Clarifier No. 2 clarifier was not operable (with no RAS pumps) Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) One of two filters was not operable. The filter in service appeared to be blinded and nartialivbypassed. Oxidation Ditches One of two rotor aerators was not operable. Mixed liquor was black in color, and se tic. The one operable aerator was turned on for 15 minutes every three hours. Pumps-RAS-WAS Two original pumps in the wasted sludge wet well were not in place, a portable pump was used to transfer sludge from the wet well to the digester. A pump was laced in the scum well of No. 1 Clarifier and served as RAS pump Grit Removal Unit was not operable and bypassed In addition, the issues below must also be addressed: The permittee must designate one Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) and one or more Back-up Operator(s) in Responsible Charge (Back-up ORCs) by March 2, 2020. Compliance Issue(s): Based on the above observations, the permittee was found to have violated Section C. 2. of the NPDES Permit for failure to properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the Permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. A Notice of Violation/Intent to Issue Civil Penalty is being issued for the noted violation of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 and the facility's Permit. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or discuss overall compliance please respond in writing within ten 10 business days after receipt of this Notice. A review of your response will be considered along with any additional information provided. You will then be notified of any civil penalties that may be assessed regarding the violations. If no response is received in this Office within the 10-day period, a civil penalty assessment may be prepared. Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of State law. If the violations are of a continuing nature, not related to operation and/or maintenance problems, and you anticipate remedial construction activities, then you may wish to consider applying for a Special Order by Consent. Reminder: Pursuant to Permit Condition 6 in Section E, the Permittee is required to verbally notify the Regional Office as soon as possible, not to exceed 24 hours, from first knowledge of any non-compliance at the facility including limit violations, bypasses of, or failure of a treatment unit. A written report may be required within 5 days if directed by Division staff. Prior notice should be given for anticipated or potential problems due to planned maintenance activities, taking units off-line, etc. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Cheng Zhang with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Raleigh Regional Office at 919 791 4200. Sincerely, Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Raleigh Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File Laserfiche United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved, EPA W30ington, D C 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report Approval expires 8-31-98 Section A. National Data System Coding (i.e , PCS) Transaction Code NPDES yrlmolday Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 u 2 1S 1 3 NCO023337 11 12 20102125 17 18 I D I 1=J 19 I s J I 201 LJ L 21 6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating at CA Reserved 67 70 !J 71 IJ 72 I 73 �74 751 I I I i I I I80 �j ! I Section 8 Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW. also include Entry Time/Dale Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES Permit Number) 1010AM 20102/25 15/08101 Scotland Neck WWfP NC Hwy 258 S Exit TimelDate Permit Expiration Date ScoOand Neck NC 27874 12:OOPM 20102/25 19110131 Name(s) of Onsite Represenlative(s)lTtles(suPhone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data A! P6 ,r-ks r U Name, Address of Responsibte Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Chades Baisey,PO Box 537 Scotland Neck NC 27874f1252.826-31521 Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Operations 8 Maintenance ■ Facility Site Review Section D• Summary of Finding+Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) (See attachment summary) Name(s) and Signature{s) of Ina pector{s) AgencylOfficelPhone and Fax Numbers Date w Cheng Zhang [~ t J �` DWR,'RRO W01919-791-42001 Z/ Z8r2.0249 Mitchell S Hayes DWR'RRO W01919-791-4200. 01 � ' 2-9 17e 2—G / Signature of Management 0 A Reviewe• Agency101ficelPhone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3;Rev 9-94, Previous editions are obsolete. #gage# Permit: NCO023337 Owner - Facility: Scotland Neck wWTP Inspection Date: 02t25f2020 Inspection Type: Technical Assistance Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical . Are the bars adequately screening debris? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Grit Removal Yes No NA NE Type of grit removal a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the grit free of excessive odor? ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is disposal of grit in compliance? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Comment: The unit was not operable and bypassed Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the wet well free of excessive grease? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? M❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: One of three pumps was not operable Page# 3 Permit: NCO023337 Owner • Facility.. Scotland Neck wwrP Inspection Date: 02/2512020 Inspection Typo: Technical Assistance Oxidation Ditches Yes No NA NE Are the aerators operational? 0 El ❑ Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? ❑ 11 El * Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? ❑ El El Is the DO level acceptable? rl Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mgll) Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/l in 30 minutes) ❑ ❑ Comment: One of two rotor aerators was not operable. Mixed liquor was black in color, appeared septic. The one operable aerator was turned on for 15 minutes every three hours. Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? ❑ Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? Are weirs level? Is the site free of weir blockage? Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? Is scum removal adequate? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? Is the drive unit operational? ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately % of the sidewall depth) 11 ❑ Comment: Sludge blanket was 3.5 feet 10-foot side wall depth) Pumps-RAS-WAS Yes No NA NE Are pumps in place? ❑ M 11 ❑ Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: Two original Pumps in the wasted sludge wet well were not in place, a Dortable Pump,was used to transfer sludge from the wet well to the digester, A 13ump was glaced in the scum well and served as RA5 Rump. Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NCO023337 Owner -Facility: 5c3tiand Neck wWTP Inspection Date: 02J25M20 Inspection Type.. Technical Assistance Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Type of operation Down flow Is the filter media present? ❑ ❑ El Is the filter surface free of clogging; 0 ❑ ❑ Is the filter free of growth? ❑ ❑ ❑ 0 Is the air scour operational? El M El El Is the scouring acceptable? Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? Comment, One of two filters was not operable. The filter in service a eared to be blinded and Partially bypassed. Disinfection -Liquid Yes No NA NE Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant? 1:1 ❑ (Sodium Hypochlorite) Is pump feed system operaticnal? D 1:1 Is bulk storage tank containment area adequate? (free cf leakslopen drains) ❑ Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? 0 L1 El ❑ Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge bu!ldup? ❑ M El ❑ Is there chlorine residual prior to de-chlorinatoon? 0 ❑ ❑ Comment: Half of the contact chamber was in service at the time of inspection. 1.75 feet of sludge was noted in the contact chamber with about 5 feet of water depth) De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Liquid Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? M ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? MCl El F1 # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? M Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? El El M D Number of tubes in use? Comment: